Dillard University holds its annual commencement ceremony, typically in May, honoring graduates with a formal procession, academic speeches, and degree conferral. Students must complete degree requirements, community-service hours (90 hours), and other graduation criteria to participate.

According to Dillard’s Commencement Guide, graduates must wear wrinkle-free robes (do not wash or dry-clean; steam or cool-iron only) and a properly fitted mortarboard cap. The tassel is worn over the left temple before the degree is awarded, and then switched at the appropriate time. Only stoles authorized by Dillard are permitted in the procession — approved vendors are specified by the university. Authorized academic regalia can include honors cords, organization stoles (e.g. fraternities/sororities), and Mr./Miss Dillard stoles.

Dillard’s 2024 Commencement Program and its academic-regalia documentation outline the color scheme for hoods and discipline-specific velvet trim. The doctoral gown is navy blue with cobalt-blue chevrons trimmed in metallic gold. Academic hood velvet colors follow traditional conventions by field: for example, pink for music, maize for agriculture, apricot for nursing, light blue for education, dark blue for philosophy, orange for engineering, peacock blue for public administration, white for arts and humanities, and others.

While the public commencement guide does not list a universal honor-cord color, it reserves the right for approved clubs, honor societies, and student organizations to issue cords or stoles — provided they are authorized by Dillard. Faculty regalia aligns with academic-dress traditions: doctoral robes feature velvet facings and chevrons; their hoods display Dillard’s institutional lining and velvet trim indicating their academic discipline.

In summary, Dillard University’s commencement is deeply rooted in tradition and uniformity. Graduates wear classic regalia — navy or dark robes, proper caps, and discipline-coded hoods — while honor cords and stoles are institutionally authorized. The color-coding for velvet trim and hoods strictly reflects academic fields, ensuring consistency in academic regalia across students and faculty.

Dillard University Cap, Gown & Academic Regalia

Order your official Dillard University commencement regalia — cap, gown, tassel, hood, and honor cords/stoles — aligned with university standards.

• Gown Color: Navy for doctoral (with cobalt-blue chevrons), or standard dark for other degrees. :contentReference[oaicite:16]{index=16}
• Cap Style: Traditional mortarboard, worn flat and level. :contentReference[oaicite:17]{index=17}
• Tassel Style: Black tassel by default, worn on left side, switched per ceremony instructions. :contentReference[oaicite:18]{index=18}
• Honor Cords / Stoles: Only Dillard-approved honor cords or student organization stoles are allowed in the procession. :contentReference[oaicite:19]{index=19}
• Academic Hood & Trim Colors: Hood lined with institutional colors; velvet trim by discipline (Music = pink, Education = light blue, Science = golden yellow, Law = purple, Theology = scarlet, etc.). :contentReference[oaicite:20]{index=20}
• Faculty / Doctoral Regalia: Velvet-trimmed robes with cobalt-blue chevrons for doctoral faculty or graduates. :contentReference[oaicite:21]{index=21}
• Regalia Care: Steam robes gently; avoid washing or dry-clean to maintain fabric and shape. :contentReference[oaicite:22]{index=22}

Note: To confirm the exact colors of the graduation gown, cap, tassel, honor cords, and stoles for your specific program at Dillard University, you can reach out directly to the college's administration or the office responsible for commencement and student services. They can provide you with the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding academic regalia.